Decorator look on a budget!

Throughout the years, I've discovered ways to decorate on a budget. One of my favorite strategies is playing the high-low price game. This involves letting go of your expensive dream item and searching for similar, more affordable alternatives by being creative and thinking outside the box. Once you start this approach, you'll be surprised at how your perspective changes. An example of this was when I found a mirrored-top metal table in a luxury furniture catalog. It was exactly what I was looking for, but it was priced at $349.00, and I needed two. So, I let go of my perfect side table and began exploring other options.

Let's see what I found:

This is the table. I would need two, one for each side of the sofa.

Thinking outside the box, I was in a retail chain store and discovered this table. It was small, round, and made of metal, like the high-end table, but it did not have a mirrored top. I wasn't a big fan of the wood insert, but after looking closer, I saw a gap between the wood insert and the metal rim (possibly enough for a mirror). At a third of the cost of the high-end table, I could not pass it up. I bought two, knowing I could return them if the mirrored glass wouldn't fit.

I took them to a glass shop and was very happy when they said there was enough room to put a mirror in.

This is what it looked like after the mirror was inserted. I love it maybe even more than the high-end table. By opening up my mind to other possibilities, I was able to find two tables for $150 (plus $50 for installation), coming in at $200 versus $698.

There are so many ways to find bargains by keeping an open mind, thinking creatively, and above all, enjoying the process!

Products: Olivia Mirrored Side Table